Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says despite the closure of the country's borders to human travel as part of international travel restrictions under Ghana’s covid-19 response program, the Government of Ghana has approved the deportation of 245 Ghanaian Migrants from Kuwait into the country.
According to Mr. Nkrumah, the 245 Ghanaians who are currently in the Kuwait illegally are expected to be in the country on Saturday May 23.
Addressing Journalists in Accra, the Information Minister said "The Government of Kuwait has further requested permission from the Government of Ghana to deport the said persons to Ghana on Saturday May 23, 2020. The Government of Ghana has subsequently granted, a special permit for the admission of the said deportees to Ghana"
He added that the deportation is to be executed via a special charter arrangement at the cost of the Kuwaiti Government.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah noted that although the deportation comes at a time when Ghana’s borders remain closed to human travel as part of international travel restrictions under Ghana’s covid-19 response program adding that measures have been put in place to limit the importation of cases into the country.
He further explained that in line with exemptions that were granted for special evacuation flights of foreign nationals during the border closure period, the Government of Ghana has come up with some measures to safely admit the deportees while ensuring the risk to the covid-19 response program is mitigated.
"The deportees will be mandatorily quarantined and tested for covid-19 immediately upon arrival into the Ghana. Deportees who test positive will be supported with treatment" he emphasised.
The Minister of Information who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency stressed that the deportees who test positive will remain in quarantine for a second test at the end of the 14day quarantine period.
The MP however noted that in addition to the aforementioned covid-19 measures, the 245 Ghanaians will generally be received and handled in line with immigration regulations for all deportees.
He said "They will be in the custody of the state for preliminary investigations on the circumstances of their illegal stay in Kuwait. Upon completion of the investigations, a case by case determination will be made on the status and further handling of each deportee in accordance with law"
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah revealed that the cost of quarantine and treatment is to be borne by the Government of Ghana.
He also explained that the National Security Secretariat will be working in collaboration with the Military, Immigration and Police to ensure the mandatory quarantine is adequately enforced.
The Information Minister hinted that the Ghana health service shall be responsible for testing and treatment if need be.
The MP assured the public that measures to ensure the health of the general population and the gains of the covid-19 response program are being taken by Government.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith